PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Andre Hainault and Danny Cruz scored the goals Friday that sent the Houston Dynamo soaring up the Eastern Conference standings with a 2-0 victory over Portland.
Houston began the game clinging to the final wild-card playoff berth and ended it by jumping from fifth to second place in the conference.
Philadelphia leads the East with 47 points and Houston (11-9-13) has 46. Kansas City is next with 45, Columbus has 44 and New York 43.
Houston has just one game left to play in the MLS regular season and the other teams left in the conference playoff chase have two remaining.
Portland (11-14-7) saw its post-season hopes take a major hit, although the Timbers have two games remaining in their bid to pick up the maximum number of points. Portland is three points behind New York for the final playoff berth.
Hainault scored in the 36th minute by sending a header across the face of the goalmouth and into the bottom right corner. Cruz beat Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins from long range in the 59th minute.
Tally Hall made four saves in recording the shutout for Houston, which has a five-game unbeaten streak.
